Preston captain “crosses line” according to manager as he forces move away | OneFootball

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom has accused captain Ben Whiteman of “crossing a line” as he tries to force a move away from the club.

Whiteman has been at Deepdale for the past five years, serving as captain for the last two seasons. However, the midfielder now wants to leave the club, with fellow Championship side Wrexham interested in a move.

“Ben told me and told Peter (the CEO) that he has played his last game for the club,” revealed manager Heckingbottom. “He was trying to force a move, which is an issue for me, for the players.

“From a performance point of view, we were in regular conversations in the last few days. Ben knew there was a line I didn’t want him to cross. Unfortunately, he has and you can’t have that.

“My priority now is the players that are here. And the players that want to play for us and represent the club.”

He continued: “There’s a valuation on him. I just hope for Ben’s sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it, otherwise he’s going to put himself in a really sticky situation.

“I’m not bothered now, he’s made his bed. I’m not bothered as long as I get another player.”

Heckingbottom concluded: “There’s a valuation for the player. When you’re paying players well and giving good contracts, you can’t then allow them to dictate what happens with those contracts.

“So put a valuation on him, and like I said, hopefully Wrexham or someone else will stump up the money.”